3 Digestion

Everyone has unique preferences when it comes to their morning beverage. Some folks prefer caffeine straight away, while others prefer to ease into the morning with herbal tea. Either way, many experts encourage drinking something to get your digestive system going.

Black coffee may be the first sip that comes to mind, but coffee alone can cause a whole host of jitters, blood sugar spikes, and so on. Instead, opt for one of the following morning beverages to start your day (and your digestion) off right:

First up, we have collagen coffee. While you shouldn't necessarily drink black coffee on its own if you're prone to caffeine jitters, a scoop of hydrolyzed collagen peptides adds a bit of calories along with amino acids, which may be helpful for blood sugar.*

Plus, collagen can benefit your digestive system.* In fact, a two-phase clinical study1 researched the effect of a daily collagen supplement on key aspects of digestive health. In the study, 40 healthy women took 20 grams of bovine collagen peptides each day, split into two servings.

The results? After eight weeks of collagen supplementation, 93% (13 out of 14 women) of those who completed the study experienced noteworthy improvements in digestion, including bloating and abdominal comfort.* You can check out the full breakdown here for a deep dive into the study's process and detailed results.

The most important part is to find a high-quality collagen supplement. One A+ pick: mindbodygreen's beauty & gut collagen+, a formula enhanced with skin- and digestion-friendly ingredients so you get more bang for your buck.* Plus, it blends into coffee with ease.

More of a morning smoothie person? Opt for an energizing blend with protein powder (vegan or whey, your choice) or nut butter. In addition, do your best to pack in some fiber. Below, a few fiber-rich foods to consider tossing in the blender:

For those that prefer to delay a rich smoothie or caffeinated beverage, you can still dress up your average glass of water. While there's nothing wrong with classic room temperature H2O, why not elevate the morning beverage?

Try adding some citrus, sliced cucumber (a personal favorite), berries, or even an electrolyte powder to boost your hydration first thing in the morning. After all, a lack of hydration can throw off many functions in the body, the digestive system included.

If you want to shake up your morning beverage to ensure it benefits your digestive system, opt for collagen coffee (or a collagen matcha, if that's more your speed), a protein- and fiber-packed smoothie, or a naturally flavored water. Cheers!

Hannah Frye is the Assistant Beauty Editor at mindbodygreen. She has a B.S. in journalism and a minor in women's, gender, and queer studies from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. Hannah has written across lifestyle sections including health, wellness, sustainability, personal development, and more. She previously interned for Almost 30, a top-rated health and wellness podcast. In her current role, Hannah reports on the latest beauty trends, holistic skincare approaches, must-have makeup products, and inclusivity in the beauty industry. She currently lives in New York City.